Virat Kohli: By the people, for the people, of the people!

There is more to cricket captaincy than just boundaries, sixes and five-wicket hauls. While win-loss ratio is often used as a yardstick to quantify success, historically, good captains have been astute managers, handled pain and pleasure with equal ease, knew the mantra to keep the establishment happy and more often than not, led by example. In modern day cricket, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who has won almost all the major trophies in the world, is the ideal example of a successful captain. He is the quintessential leader on and off the pitch.

 

All good things come to an end. It's nature's law of balance. A successful captain, who is as good as his team, also has a shelf life. While it is important to enjoy success and bask in glory, intelligent leaders also can time their 'exit' with perfection. This timing is not really an Indian virtue - several high-profile captains have been unceremoniously dropped - but given Dhoni's foresight and intelligence, the 2015 World Cup could be the ideal moment to relinquish the 'throne' from where he has commanded respect of his teammates and more importantly, won the confidence of the authorities.

 

Until and unless there is massive upheaval in Indian cricket in the next 18 months, Dhoni's hotseat looks safe. There is no immediate 'threat' to his position even as Virat Kohli is showing all the right signs to be the next man in-charge. For all of Dhoni's deputies -- Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir have been vice-captains - Kohli, by far, looks the 'heir apparent'.

 

The best captains are always 'born' in a successful cricket environment. Young men like Kohli and Suresh Raina have seen the better of two worlds. Having shared the dressing room with the Dravids, Laxmans and Tendulkars, upstarts like Kohli are learning to imbibe the virtues of the gentleman's game. Aggression is acceptable as long as its public manifestation is not obnoxious. And angry-young man Kohli seems to be slowly but surely turning a new leaf.

VIRAT KOHLI: MASTER OF 'CHASES'

Virat Kohli is the only batsman in the history of ODIs to score 3,000 runs apart from averaging 60-plus in chases -- his aggregate being 3076 (ave. 62.77) in 63 innings, including 10 hundreds and 17 fifties.

Kohli's average of 82.70 in successful chases is the second highest in ODIs (minimum 2,000 runs) -- his tally being 2481 in 43 innings (13 times not out), including 10 hundreds and 12 fifties. Only Mahendra Singh Dhoni has a better average (100.09) in successful chases -- 2102 runs in 54 innings (33 times not out), including two hundreds and 14 fifties.

Only Sachin Tendulkar (14 in 124 innings) has scored more hundreds in successful chases than Kohli. Further, India have won all 10 games when Virat scored hundreds while chasing.India broke new grounds in Jaipur on Wednesday. The consummate ease - the hosts won by nine wickets -- at which India surpassed a 360-run target not only spoke about the riches in batting, it exposed the new holy trinity of Team India. In eye of the purist, Rohit Sharma's 141 not out, Shikhar Dhawan's 95 and Kohli's unbeaten 100 were equally important, but Kohli stole the show with his 52-ball blitz, the fastest by an Indian.

 

Sharma and Kohli exploded with joy after victory was achieved with 39 balls to spare, but there was something 'different' about Kohli's celebration after he bludgeoned the fastest ODI ton by an Indian. There surely were hints of brashness and arrogance, but there were signs of sobriety as well. Even as he bent his knees and punched the night air with his fist clenched, Kohli seemed to be in better 'control' of his 'North Indian' tongue. There were no expletive-driven rant and no dirty looks. Kohli's prime time 'entertainment' was this time tailor-made for a family watching a stunning game of cricket on television.

 

But it was not Kohli's eight fours and seven sixes that stood out on a night when India's Three Musketeers made light of an imposing Australian total. It was Kohli's graciousness to share the spotlight with Dhawan and Sharma that made critics sit up and take notice. For a 24-year-old, riding the crest of fame and fortune, to keep your feet firmly on the ground, share happiness with teammates and not get carried away by one sensational win were tell-tale signs of maturity. This wonderful ability to shift gears and adapt quickly to a situation and demonstrate a sense of inner peace and tranquility were commendable.

 

Even though his 52-ball hundred left Sharma's 141 in the shadows, Kohli refused to hog the spotlight alone during a post-match chat. "When I went in (India 176/1 in the 27th over), my intention was to help Rohit score big. He is getting 60s and 70s and I told him 'it's going to be your day... just get a big one.' I just wanted to play my part and take the pressure off Rohit," Kohli said. (Stats)

 

"I never thought of scoring a 52-ball 100. Whatever I hit, hit the middle of the bat. I just wanted to play my part. Rohit has all the shots in the book and by far the best in the T20 format. He showed great temperament," said Kohli, carefully choosing his words and putting a teammate, who surely has aspirations of captaining India one day, ahead of himself.

 

Dealing with the media is an essential part of 'growing' up and Kohli interactions with the Press so far have been rather enjoyable. He gives good copy and reminds of former captain Sourav Ganguly, who always spoke his mind and was a reporter's delight. Kohli's ability to shoulder responsibility, inspire teammates with dollops of positive aggression and lead by example is just the right signs of a good leader. "It doesn't matter if I get a 50-ball 100 or a 70-ball century. As long as the team wins and we can keep this record going, I am happy," said Kohli. Such words of wisdom are commendable for a young man gradually metamorphosing into a leader of men. (Match in pics)